Improvement in folding-chairs



ttiduh gaat! GEORGE MILLER AND PHLLIP HANNAH, OE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO THEMSELVES AND JOHN GORTON, JR., OF SAME PLAGE.

Letters'Patent No. 113,077, dated March 28, 18 7-1 IMPROVEMENT iN FOLDING-CHAIRS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and mal-ring part of the name.

\ To all whom 'it may concern:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of our foldingchair as adjusted when in use.

Figure 2 represents a side view of the saine when folded together.

Figure 3 represents the slotted plate by which the legs of the chair are adjustably connected..

Figure 4 represents a front view of the pivotal armclasp, detached. Figure represents an edge view of the same.

Figure 6 represents a transverse section of one of the seat-supports.

Our in vention relates to the connecting, supporting, and strengthening devices used by us in constructing ilding-chairs; and consists in the arrangement and combination of these devices therewith'as herein fully set forth.

Where the legs A B, at each side of the chair, cross each other, they are connected together by adouble' support, which allows sufficient movement of the legs in respect to each other to fold and lunfold the chair,l

and which greatly strengthens it and preventslateral i'lexure, to which such chairs are liable when the legs are connected with a pivot, rod, or bolt.'

This connecting lnechai sin consists of the slotted plate E, which is interposed between the legs of the chair, (at each sidcthereol',)and four screws, by means of which the plate is secured in place. Two ot' the screws pass through the curved slots t' c', which have beveled' or countersunk edges for these screws to work in freely when the chair is being adjusted.

The two screws, the heads of which work in the beveled slots it, serve also to fasten the plate E to one leg of the chair; and after the plate is thus fastened to the. inner. leg li, it will be secured rigidly to the inner side ofthe adjacent leg A by two screws, which enter the holes o o in the ends of the plate. rlhe two legs are thus connected at each side ofthe chair.-

lhe movement in folding and unfbldingthe chair will cause the two screw-heads which are held in the beveled slot-s it to traverse these slots, while they constitute a substantial double connection and supportnt a point where the tendency of the chair to lateral ilexurc is to be prevented. v

The plate ll also serres as a washer, to protect the legs from wearing against each other `in ihlding.

The arm l) is hinged at m tothe upper end of the leg A, and it extends rearward through the pivoted clasp F, represented in figs. 4 and 5.

The clasp consists of the circular plate vG, having arms or brackets n, which loosely embrace the chairarm D; and when thecirair is folded together, or opened for use; the clasp, being pivoted by the screw which secures it to the side of the chair-back, will freely turn upon its pivot and adjust itself to the'different positions of the arm D, which freely Aslides through it while folding'and unfolding the chair, as above described. l

Asa support, auxiliary to the flexible seat H, we insert the piu wthrough the end of arm D, which pin bears against the brackets n of the clasp, as shown in fig. 1, when the chair is in use.

Instead of pin w, an enlargement of the rear end of arm D would answer this purpose.

In fig. 6, which represents one of the chair-rounds (in section) which supports the seat B, lr denotes a rabbeted cleat, which is applied to'secure the hemmed edge of the flexible seat to its supporting rounds.

The hem of the cloth or carpet-seat will occupy the groove atA s, between the lower part ofthe cleat b and the part at d of the .chair-round, and be securely held between them by the angular edge c of the cleatwh en the latter is fastened in its place by screws, as represented in the drawing.

It will be observed that the working parts of the connecting devices mutually strengthen and support each other when the chair is supporting the weight of the person who may be occupying it.

As a substitute for the pieces or pins w, around or slat, connecting the rear ends of the'arms D, in rear of the chair-back, may be used.

We do not claim a slotted plate used in connection with lugs, which serves as a stop for a hinge,.or circular movement, as such a mechanism is not new.

Having fully described our invention,

What we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent, isdl. The plate E, constructed with two beveled slots 'it and projecting ends for the screw-holes oo,`in com bination with the chair-legs, to form adouble fastening thereof, connected, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The self-adjusting clasp F in combination with hinged-arm D, applied and operating in the' manner and for the purpose described.

3. The combination of slotted plate E and pivotal clasp F, witlthe legs, seat, arm, and back of foldingchairs, suhstantialiy as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereef' we have hereunto set our hands this 18th day of January, A. D. 1871.

GEORGE MILLER. PHILLIP HANNAH.'

Vitnesses z H. P. K. Pneu, A. L. Pncn. 

